The care of animals is a topic that finds its roots deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, reflecting God's concern for all His creation. The Bible provides numerous references that highlight the responsibility humans have towards animals, emphasizing stewardship, compassion, and ethical treatment.

Creation and Stewardship

In the Genesis account, God creates animals and entrusts their care to humanity. Genesis 1:26-28 states, "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.'" This dominion is not a license for exploitation but a call to stewardship, reflecting God's own care and order in creation.

Sabbath Rest for Animals

The concept of rest extends beyond humans to include animals. In Exodus 20:10 , the commandment regarding the Sabbath states, "but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates." This provision ensures that animals, like humans, benefit from rest, underscoring their value in God's eyes.

Compassionate Treatment

The Bible explicitly commands compassionate treatment of animals. Proverbs 12:10 declares, "A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty." This verse highlights the moral obligation to treat animals with kindness and respect, associating righteousness with the humane treatment of animals.

Protection and Welfare

Various laws in the Mosaic Law reflect God's concern for the welfare of animals. Deuteronomy 22:6-7 instructs, "If you come across a bird’s nest with chicks or eggs, either in a tree or on the ground, and the mother is sitting on the chicks or eggs, you must not take the mother with the young. You may take the young, but be sure to let the mother go, so that it may go well with you and you may prolong your days." This law demonstrates a balance between human needs and the preservation of animal life.

Work and Burden

The Bible also addresses the fair treatment of working animals. Deuteronomy 25:4 states, "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." This command ensures that animals are allowed to eat while they work, reflecting a principle of fairness and care for their well-being.

God's Sovereignty and Care

Scripture affirms God's sovereignty and care over all creation, including animals. Psalm 50:10-11 declares, "For every beast of the forest is Mine—the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are Mine." This passage emphasizes that all animals belong to God, and He is intimately aware of their existence and needs.

Jesus and Animals

In the New Testament, Jesus Himself acknowledges the value of animals. In Matthew 6:26 , He says, "Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" While emphasizing human value, Jesus also affirms God's provision for animals, illustrating their worth in the divine economy.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on the care of animals is one of stewardship, compassion, and respect. Through various laws, teachings, and examples, the Bible calls for a responsible and ethical approach to the treatment of animals, reflecting God's own care and concern for all His creation.Proverbs 12:10
A righteous man regards the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
Topicalbible.org

Genesis 1:28
And God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.
Topicalbible.org

Proverbs 27:23
Be you diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds.
Topicalbible.org

The Creation of Terrestrial Animals.
... [1717] Thus in nature all has been foreseen, all is the object of continual care.
If you examine the members even of animals, you will find that the Creator ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily ix the creation of.htm

Proverbs
... Care for animals is inculcated, xii.10, and love to enemies, xxv.21., in words borrowed
by the New Testament"a notable advance on Leviticus 19:18. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/proverbs.htm

The Creation of Fowl and Water Animals.
... part of the animal creation, if indeed there are three kinds of animals, land, winged ...
The bee takes care not to make one vast cavity, for fear it might break ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily viii the creation of.htm

Of God, his Care and Anger.
... But if God carries on the care of the world, it follows that He cares for ... concerning
which we spoke before, which is contained even in the dumb animals; but it ...
/.../chap xvii of god his care.htm

Whether Simple Fornication is a Mortal Sin?
... For we find in all animals where the upbringing of the offspring needs care of both
male and female, that these come together not indeterminately, but the male ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether simple fornication is a.htm

Concerning the Surnames of Jupiter, which are Referred not to Many ...
... majesty is it, that one thing, and that of the lowest kind, even the giving of the
pap to animals that they may be nourished, should be under the care of two ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 11 concerning the surnames of.htm

Fourth Tractate. Our Tutelary Spirit.
... has care for the Soulless" " though the several Souls thus care in their ... Those that
have lived wholly to sense become animals " corresponding in species to ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/fourth tractate our tutelary spirit.htm

On the End of Man
... In traveling, for instance, animals give up when exhausted, but man may be dying
as he walks, and still, by his ... 7 Q. Of which must we take more care, our soul ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 1 on the end.htm

He Careth for You
... His care is proved in his making so beautiful a world to be our home. The flowers,
the fruits, the grains, the grasses, the animals, the sunshine, the winds ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk fifty-two he careth for.htm

Whether Matrimony is of Natural Law?
... incline thereto in the same way in all animals; since there are animals whose offspring ...
In man, however, since the child needs the parents' care for a long time ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether matrimony is of natural.htm

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